This book gives a fresh point of view on the curing processes, structure and properties of crosslinked polymers. The general view is that the structure and properties of crosslinked polymers are defined by their density, this book demonstrates that the parameters are defined by the supermolecular (a more precisely, supersegmental structure) of the crosslinked polymers.

The quantitative relationships of the structures/properties are obtained for these polymers. Using an epoxy polymer as a nanofiller for a nanocomposite is discussed and a new class of polymer is proposed. The introduction of the nanofiller gives variation in the mechanical properties, degree of crystallinity, gas permeability and so on. The use of these crosslinked polymers as natural nanocomposites is proposed. Practical methods of crosslinked polymer's supersegmental structure regulation are considered, and all the changes that this gives their properties are detailed.

This book will be of significance to all material scientists and students of material science.

1. The Main Principles of the Cluster Model1.1 Fundamentals1.2 Thermodynamics of the Local Order Formation1.3 Polymer Structure Ordering Degree and Cluster Model1.4 Thermofluctuational Origin of Clusters1.5 Functionality of Clusters and Methods of its Estimation2 The Main Physical Concepts used in Fractals Theory2.1 The Fractal Analysis of Polymeric Media2.2 The Fractal Models of Polymer Medium Structure2.3 Polymer Medium with Scaling Theory Positions2.4 The Fractal Analysis in Molecular Mobility Description Questions3 The Fractal Models of Epoxy Polymers Curing Process3.1 Two Types of Fractal Reactions at Curing of Crosslinked Epoxy Polymers3.2 Scaling Relationships for Curing Reactions of Epoxy Polymers3.3 Microgel Formation in the Curing Process of Epoxy Polymers3.4 Synergetics of the Curing Process of Epoxy Polymers3.5 The Nanodimensional Effects in the Curing Process of Epoxy Polymers into Fractal Space4 The Description of Crosslinked Rubbers within the Frameworks of Fractal Analysis and Local Order Models4.1 Molecular and Structural Characteristics of Crosslinked Polymer Networks4.2 The Polychloroprene Crystallisation4.3 The Cluster Model Application for the Description of the Process and Properties of Polychloroprene Crystallisation4.4 Influence of Polychloroprene Crystalline Morphology on Its Mechanical Behaviour5 Structure of Epoxy Polymers5.1 Application of Wide Angle X-ray Diffraction for Study of the Structure of Epoxy Polymers5.2 The Curing Influence on Molecular and Structural Characteristics of Epoxy Polymers5.3 The Description of the Structure of Crosslinked Polymers within the Frameworks of Modern Physical Models5.4 Synergetics of the Formation of Dissipative Structures in Epoxy Polymers5.5 The Structural Analysis of Fluctuation Free Volume of Crosslinked Polymers6 The Properties of Crosslinked Epoxy Polymers6.1 The Glass Transition Temperature6.2 Elasticity Moduli6.3 Yield Stress6.4 Fracture of Epoxy Polymers6.5 The Other Properties6.6 The Physical Ageing of Epoxy Polymers7 Nanocomposites on the Basis of Crosslinked Polymers7.1 The Formation of the Structure of Polymer/Organoclay Nanocomposites7.2 The Reinforcement Mechanisms of Polymer/Organoclay Nanocomposites7.3 The Simulation of Stress-strain Curves for Polymer/Organoclay Nanocomposites within the Frameworks of the Fractal Model7.4 The Multifractal Model of Sorption Processes for Nanocomposites8 Polymer-polymeric Nanocomposites8.1 The Fractal Analysis of Crystallisation of Nanocomposites8.2 The Melt Viscosity of HDPE/EP Nanocomposites8.3 The Mechanical Properties of HDPE/EP Nanocomposites8.4 The Diffusive Characteristics of HDPE/EP Nanocomposite9 Crosslinked Epoxy Polymers as Natural Nanocomposites9.1 Formation of the Structure of Natural Nanocomposites9.2 The Properties of Natural Nanocomposites10 The Solid-phase Extrusion of Rarely CrosslinkedEpoxy PolymersAbbreviationsIndex